January 2009 Issue
Anatolia
On a cold, snowy night, Anatolia Café radiates a warm glow on busy Lee Road in Cleveland Heights, a street known for its eclectic dining options — Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Italian and burger-and-beer joints line both sides of the quarter-mile strip. But it is Turkish food that beckons my husband and me on this frosty evening. Through the expanse of picture windows we see a cozy fireplace, walls painted deep coral and saffron and decorated with colorful rugs, and a bustling scene of white-shir... Ancient Artistry
“There aren’t superlatives to describe what we were seeing,” Joy Timken recalls. “To call it magnificent is an understatement.” The breathtaking vista they saw while visiting Japan in 2005 was not glimpsed from a beach or hotel balcony – it was a scene created on a silk kimono by the late artist Itchiku Kubota. “One look at his kimonos, and we knew we wanted to bring them home to share with the people of Canton,” recalls Jack Timken. The couple, Canton Mus... Back to the Land
A pastoral setting of unparalleled beauty, the land surrounding the Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC) is replete with prairie grass, goldenrod and coneflower. It takes a pretty good stretch of the imagination to believe that just two decades ago, a portion of this terrain – located at Mount St. John in Dayton – was a 14-acre sand and gravel pit left over from the construction of Interstate 675. “Yes,” recalls Marianist Sister Leanne Jablonski, the center’s dir... |
Aces on Ice
The blade is a mirror for tears of joy and disappointment, creating a final spray of sheared ice when a competitive skater comes to a dramatic stop. More than 250 skaters will vie for fame and personal satisfaction at the 2009 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Cleveland Jan. 18–25. The event is conducted each year by U.S. Figure Skating, the sport’s sanctioning body. Skaters compete for national titles in a variety of divisions. What’s on the line? Sometimes a chance to solidify a p... Roots Music Revival
It was only mid-November, and Ohio’s dreary gray side was already rearing its ugly head. The forecast said 40 degrees, but the freezing rain that pelted our faces as we ducked into the Blue Bell Diner in downtown McConnelsville was an unpleasant reminder that our insurgent winter weather doesn’t play by the rules. We had come to this population-1,700 town in search of dinner and a show — the kind born out of a “simpler time” that, if you’re too young to remember Sputn... The Artist's Way
It’s opening night at Keny Galleries in Columbus, and Stephen Pentak is slowly pacing the room. One by one, sophisticated-looking arts patrons pull up in luxury automobiles that waver unsteadily along the hard, cobblestone streets of the city’s German Village neighborhood. Pentak admits to feeling jittery as he prepares for his first art exhibition in Columbus since retiring as associate dean of Ohio State University’s College of the Arts in 2006. While speaking, he’s surrounded ... |
Home Remedies
The temperature may have dropped months ago, but it isn’t until January that true hibernation sets in for most of us. All the more reason to get going on those home improvement projects, says Jeff Wilson, Athens resident and host of “Build-a-Deck” on the DIY Network, and “Restore America” on HGTV. “I know we usually talk about ‘spring cleaning,’” says Wilson. “But personally, I don’t like to spend a beautiful day inside, so why not get it... Old-Fashioned Favorite
While many people face winter with a dread usually reserved for a root canal, I actually look forward to it. Watching those delicate white flakes of snow float to the ground conjures up happy memories of growing up in Medina County. In our neighborhood, the first snowfall meant sledding down the thrillingly steep hill on the local golf course, ice-skating on the neighbor’s frozen pond, building snow forts and making snow angels in the back yard. Best of all, it meant eating snow ice cream. It wasn... |
Best of Ohio
Best Place for “Freedom of Espression” Housed in an old church in Powell, Espresso Yourself Music Café is everything you’d want in a coffeehouse — hot and cold drink menu, house-made Paninis, gourmet desserts, books to read and comfy couches. But the best part? This family-run business supports local artists and musicians, with live music nightly and local artwork for sale on the walls. Relaxation (and encouraging local talent) never felt so good. 50 W. Olentangy St., Powell... Best of the Best Hometowns
Best Listening Post It wouldn’t surprise us if the adage, “They sure don’t build them like they used to,” was penned after a visit to the Chagrin Falls bandstand on the town square. It’s easy to see why it’s a revered landmark to those who gather there for summer concerts. The limestone base was built in 1877 – only 44 years after the village was founded and a dozen years after the Civil War ended. Listen. Can those possibly be the strains of “When Johnny ... Fan-tastic
In a sports-crazed state, it should come as no surprise that the No. 1 sports city in the country is right here in Ohio. According to research conducted over the past year by Scarborough Sports Marketing, Columbus is the best sports city in the United States. The results of the survey indicate that 66 percent of adults in Columbus say they are avid sports fans. Scarborough’s measurements include fan enthusiasm, sports viewing and listening, and leisure activities. The New York-based firm gauges lo... Maureen Burns-Hooker
AGE: 48 PERSONAL: Originally from Cleveland, she now lives in Athens with her husband, photographer David Hooker. Her son, Zachary Powell, 19, builds and designs skate parks. OCCUPATION: The founder of Herbal Sage Tea Company ( www.herbalsage.com ) describes herself as a formulator: “My joy and expertise are in creating tea blends based on research and traditional uses.” HOW IT STARTED: City life in Cleveland offered no room for an herb garden, but moving to Athens gave her the opportunity t... Not-So-Total Loss
It was a garden party, but not of the sort you might think. A hosta party, maybe? It was a cookout, too, but a drizzly, chilly one. There was a fire, but not the kind you want, like a campfire or a bonfire, something you could happily warm to. No, this was a fire fire. The awful kind you hope never happens. The fire is really what the story is about. It all revolves around that. I’ve been around fires a fair amount. I’ve camped beside them and cooked on them in woods around our state. I̵... Ohioan - Lonnie Thompson
AGE: Turned 60 last July at 20,000 feet in the Andes Mountains of South America. RESIDENCE: Clintonville PERSONAL: He and his wife and colleague, Ellen, have one daughter, Regina. OCCUPATION: Paleoclimatologist at The Ohio State University’s Byrd Polar Research Center and professor of environmental geology and paleoclimatology at OSU. TRANSLATION: Thompson studies the history of Earth’s climate as it is recorded in ice. His work takes him to some of the highest mountaintops in the tropics to... Strings Attached
Reuben and Naomi Hostetler don’t have a single family member with musical ability. Instead, the Mennonite family has a household of talented musicians who have turned that gift into a successful harp-building business and musical group. “We’ve always loved music,” Reuben Hostetler says, describing how his family of nine became one with the harp almost a decade ago. “Our son Joel created this wood box with wires strung over it, and he’d play music with that makeshift b... |
Butler County
Though it may be tempting to stay at home on these cold winter days, bundle up, gather the family and head to one of southwest Ohio’s most charming spots. With an abundance of family-focused attractions, a weekend in Butler County will be a treat for all ages. Those with an appreciation for the arts will be astounded by the beauty at Beau Verre/Riordan Stained Glass Studio (www.beauverre.net). Viewing the works of art at this Middletown gallery helps beat the winter blues. The oldest continually o... Cincinnati Museum Center
One of Ohio’s most innovative attractions, the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal is actually three museums in one. Home to the Cincinnati History Museum, the Duke Energy Children’s Museum and the Museum of Natural History & Science, the center provides visitors both entertainment and education. From dinosaurs to culture festivals, the Museum Center has it all. Bring the entire family for a tour, lecture, concert or festival, or just explore at your own pace. Highlights of the museum... Cleveland Metroparks
See Cleveland from an entirely new perspective this winter with a visit to the Cleveland Metroparks, an expansive community resource that features more than 21,000 acres of diverse landscapes. Sixteen reservations encircle the city, making this one of the largest park systems in the region. Wildlife areas, hundreds of trails, outdoor education facilities and special attractions make for a season of fun in northeast Ohio. When the snow starts to fall, there’s no better way to spend the day than at ... Excellent Excursions
From educational museums to indoor waterparks and historic villages, our region offers something for everyone in the cold winter months. Whether you’re looking for a sophisticated weekend getaway or a way to spend the afternoon with the kids, there is never a shortage of fun in Ohio and surrounding states. Click each winter adventure below to find out more. Pro Football Hall of Fame Cincinnati Museum Center Butler County National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Cleveland Metroparks West Virgin... National Museum of the United States Air Force
Since the 1920s, the National Museum of the United States Air Force has been dedicated to preserving and presenting the Air Force story; from one-of-a-kind aircraft, personal artifacts, photographs and more, the museum tells the tale of heroism, innovation, war and peace. With more than 400 aerospace vehicles in 17 acres of indoor exhibit space, the Dayton facility is the largest military aviation museum in the world. A true visual spectacle, there is something that each member of the family will enjoy.... Pro Football Hall of Fame
Come in from the cold and get in on the action at Canton’s Pro Football Hall of Fame, a museum dedicated to America’s gridiron glory. For nearly 50 years, it has delighted visitors with its commitment to honoring and preserving the individuals and teams who have made an impact on the sport. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to the NFL’s birthplace each year. The museum’s galleries represent players past and present. Guests will love wandering the Hall of Fame Gallery, home ... Sauder Village
When snow starts to fall, life at Historic Sauder Village slows down. The costumed staff members end their demonstrations of late-19th- and early 20th-century activities, and the old-fashioned shops shut their doors until spring. But the Archbold attraction entices visitors throughout the winter months, as the Sauder Heritage Inn and the Barn Restaurant make a peaceful and close-to-home winter getaway. The Sauder Heritage Inn has the feeling of a cozy old barn. Wooden rafters fill the towering lobby and... Splash Harbor/Comfort Inn
The ice and snow are no reason to let the bathing suits collect dust this winter. Located just off I-71 in Bellville, Comfort Inn Splash Harbor offers indoor waterpark fun no matter the weather. An easy drive from Cleveland, Columbus or Akron, Splash Harbor is the place to bring the family for a weekend adventure. Kids will love the tropical shipwreck theme complete with palm trees, a ship’s hull, and cannons that spray water. Younger children have a space of their own in the waterpark; the kiddy ... West Virginia State Parks
Winter weather, though often considered bleak, can also be incredibly beautiful. Snow-covered walking trails, ice-topped lakes and sparkling streams greet visitors at West Virginia’s many state parks, the truest testaments to the beauty of Appalachia. The forests and unspoiled, open acreage of West Virginia provide myriad options for those looking for an outdoor winter escape. There are hiking trails at nearly every state park, and the dazzling scenery provides for excellent views — perfect ... |
An Appetite for Ohio
All right, we plead guilty. It was before lunch when we met to discuss the “bests” to be included in this year’s “ Best of Ohio ” cover story. That may have something to do with the ample presence of edibles on the list. Come to think of it, the fact that we felt compelled to taste test all the entries may have something to do with ampleness of another sort. Who could resist? Pastry chef — or, better put, artist — Sue Larson had more than a little to do with the... |
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